Can This Table Be Saved?

Looking for a way to quickly refresh a piece of furniture? Using chalk paint spray paint is an easy way to do it! Let me share a few tips!

 

Welcome to Week 5 of the Spring 2023 One Room Challenge!  This week, it is finally thyme to break out the chalk paint spray paint and give this mesh patio table top the makeover it so desperately needs!

The Story of The Mesh Patio Table Top!

I know she doesn’t look like much in the photo but she has amazing patina! And I found her some new legs!  These legs were bent beyond repair when the table was moved from Illinois to Florida.

I have had this table top for years!  One of my dear friends gave it to me.  My mom had an old patio table that needed a new top.  We put the mesh table top on these metal legs.  She used the patio table like this for several years until it got relegated to the corn crib.

The poor thing sat in the corn crib until I decided it needed to come to Florida.

You might be wondering why I wanted to save this table top!  I absolutely love the patina on this tabletop.  Here is a sneak peak of it.

The combination of the blue green color with a bit of rust and gray metal peeking thru is just the type of thing that speaks to me!

It didn’t really speak to Mr Farmhouse!  He thought it was a little too rusty.   Chalk Paint Spray Paint to the rescue!

But first, let’s talk about those legs!

Where Did I Find New Legs?

The metal mesh table top was all that survived the move to Florida.  The movers managed to bend the aluminum legs to the point where they were no longer usable.  I was not very happy about that!

I really wanted to save the top so I researched replacement legs on line.  I thought I might find some at a restaurant supply house.  These chair seats came from a restaurant supply house so I figured they sold legs, too!

How to Refresh Metal Patio Chairs

Well, they do sell replacement legs but they are fairly expensive. Not to be defeated, I kept looking.

At the end of the season last fall, I found a glass top table at Home Depot.  After checking and rechecking the measurement of the mesh table top, I was pretty sure I could fit the mesh table top right over the glass top.  Someone didn’t think it would work but he helped me put the table together anyway!

Here is the glass topped table just waiting for the “new” mesh table top!

This is a close up of how the mesh table top just fit right over the glass top table.  The picture was taken before I did my magic chalk paint spray paint makeover!

 

Now That She Has Legs, Let’s Refresh The Top!!

I knew I wanted to keep the overall vintage look of the mesh table top.  I am a big fan of spray paint, especially the chalk paint version.  I was pretty sure that I could use a couple of different colors to enhance the table top.

I actually ended up just using the Blue Harbor color and the sealer.  I decided not to use the other colors.

Let me show you how I did it!

Easy Steps For  a Quick Refresh!

Before I stared spray painting, I prepped the tabletop.  It was extremely dusty and dirty after first being stored in the corn crib and then left outside in the elements. I washed both sides of the mesh patio tabletop with a gentle soap and then rinsed it off with water.

I didn’t have to sand any of the rusty areas but if your piece has a lot of rust you will want to sand it so the paint will adhere properly.  Be sure to use a tack cloth to remove any dust or debris before you start painting.

Now that my piece is prepped, let’s talk about the chalk paint spray paint that I picked.  Rust-Oleum is one of my favorite brands of spray paint.  They have several different types of spray paint available.  I have used a variety of them in different projects.  I chose the chalk paint for this project because I wanted a smooth matte finish.

When working with spray paint, it is very important to shake the can very well before using.  If you aren’t sure about the color, you might want to test the paint on a small, inconspicuous area before painting your entire piece.

I used painter’s tape to cover the metal cap around the hole for the umbrella.  I didn’t want to get Blue Harbor paint on the metal cap.

After prepping and choosing my paint, I am finally ready to start painting!

When using chalk paint spray paint (or really any spray paint), it needs to be applied evenly.  Hold the can far enough away from the surface, generally 8 to 10 inches away.  Use a sweeping motion to apply the paint. Being far enough away and using the sweeping motion helps prevent the paint from building up and possibly dripping.

I only used one coat of paint on each side of the tabletop.  I allowed the bottom to dry before I flipped it over and sprayed the top. I sprayed very lightly as I was trying to maintain the ombre worn look.  I would have applied more coats if I wanted to completely cover the tabletop.

Once the tabletop was completely dry, I applied a light coat of the matte clear sealer.  The sealer helps protect the paint from chipping, peeling or fading.  The coat of sealer needs to dry completely.  I only applied the sealer to the top of the mesh tabletop.

The last step before putting the tabletop on the glass top table is to remove the painter’s tape and use a bit of paint on the metal cap.

While the paint around the metal cap was drying, I cleaned the top of the glass top table.  After the paint was dry, I placed the newly refreshed mesh tabletop over the glass top and voila!

Doesn’t she look fantastic?

So the answer to the question is Yes, yes the table can be saved!

Save This Pin For Later!

Goals for Creating a Calming Coastal  Themed Retreat:

As part of the Spring 2023 ORC,  I plan to finally get the walls patched and painted.  I am slowly accomplishing the items on my list!

1. Replace Damaged Screens and Properly Secure The Cage
2. Clean the travertine tile to remove dirt, grime & algae
3. Patch & Paint stucco walls
4. Clean & Paint metal support beams
5. Add mulch around perimeter of lanai cage
6. refresh patio pots around lanai cage.
7. Add more lighting to the pool cage area
8. repaint mesh patio table top
9. rearrange patio furniture
10. use existing storage more effectively
11. set up a potting area outside the lanai

A Simple Explanation of the One Room Challenge

In 2011, Linda Weinstein decided to join together with a small group of her online friends with the goal of finishing a room in a designated amount of time.  The group of friends worked on their projects and helped motivate each other to stay on track.  She named the event One Room Challenge®, since staying focused and completing the project could be quite a challenge.

Fast forward to the present and the event is now held bi-annually.  The One Room Challenge showcases designers and Social Media Influencers.   The campaign begins on the first Wednesday of every April & October.  The campaign hopes to inspire individuals by showcasing new ideas and trends in home design and decor.

Bloggers and other social media influencers are welcome to join in the challenge as Guest Participants. For 8 Wednesdays (starting April 5th), the participants will be sharing their progress on their blogs and various social media platforms.

Please check out all the other amazing projects!  They can be found here: One Room Challenge

To follow my journey with the Spring 2023 One Room Challenge:

Start here: Spring 2023 One Room Challenge

Week 2: Spring 2023 ORC Week 2

Week 3: Spring 2023 ORC Week 3

Week 4: Spring 2023 ORC Week 4

Please come back next week to see how I am progressing with the project!

Another Project Using Chalk Paint Spray Paint

Chalk Painted End Table Refresh

For this project, I did use sandpaper to give the table a more distressed look.  After the final coat of paint dried, I lightly sanded the edges and corners of the piece.  Sanding helped create a worn, aged look.  Another way to add distressing is to use a damp cloth or sponge.  Use this sponge to gently rub away some of the paint in areas where natural wear and tear would occur.